Alicante and Muricia are currently in the midsts of harvesting their grapes. As the sun rises over the Mediterranean sea, casting pastel hues across the limestone rock faces dabbling the southern Spanish regions, grape pickers are out in the fields with stained hands and tanned faces loading baskets of ripe delicious grapes for pressing. The work is hard. Hours upon hours of bending over vines, clipping the bunches without damaging the grapes, and then running at full speed to catch up with the loading truck, is not for the weak spirited. Yet although the work is exhausting, the pickers dedication and skill is what aids in the success of the vintage. Coupled with the abnormally cool temperatures, which have resulted in grapes with greater complexity and greater aroma, the harvest has gotten off to a fabulous start!

Since Wednesday, I’ve had the unique privilege to experience a region of Spain that Ryan is already intimately familiar with. Coming home from previous trips and putting his luggage in front entry, he’s unloaded bottles from Alicante boasting of their fabulous quality and the intense beauty of region. Is it a traditional beauty? No. I would compare it more to the four corner region of the USA, where the dramatic landscapes intermingle with seductive desert aromas such as rosemary, thyme, lavender and basil. Add this to the warm glow and friendly handshake from the people, and you’ve described my experience of a beautiful region.

But enough for now. I’ll catch you up further upon our return back to Barcelona tomorrow. For now, I’ll leave you with a trivia question for the weekend. Considering where we are, can you guess what grape this is?

Good luck!

Check out these related posts:

• New Year’s Traditions in Spain: 12 grapes in 12 seconds
• Ribera del Duero to become DOCa - WHOooPEEE
• Alentejo Harvest Report - Quinta do Mouro
• Gabriella’s in the House!(er, well, apartment)
• New grapes in Rioja…Who cares!